Sprinkler with variably controlled pattern



Sept. 3, 1957 H. c. HURLEY l2,895,098

SPRTNKLER WITH VARIABLY coNT'RoLLED PATTERN Filerd Aug. 5, 1955 5Sheets-Sheet 1 @.l. Lau/RY M www.

Sept. 3, 1957 H. c.. HURLEY SPRTNKLER WITH TARTABLY coNTRoLLED PATTERNFiled Aug. s, 1955 A 3 sheets-shea 2 INT/@NTM I HnNlvYaIhmunn- W2/WM#rr/1.

' ATTORNEY Sept.. 3,- 1957 H. c. HURLEY SPRINKLER WITH VARIABLYcoNTRoLLED PATTERN Filed Aug. 3, 1955 E Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. HENRYCHURLEK Idar/albig.

United States vPatent A(f)` SPRINKLER WITH VARIABLY CONTROLLED PATTERNHenry C. Hurley, Indianapolis, Ind.

Application August 3, 1955, Serial No. 526,181

10 Claims. (Cl. 299-18) This invention relates to a water sprinkler, andmore particularly, to an automatically operable sprinkler which isadjustable to provide various patterns, shapes or irregular contours ofwatered or sprinkled areas.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved watersprinkler.

A further object of this invention is to provide a water sprinkler whichis automatically operable to advance, in predetermined angularincrements, the direction of water ow fromY the sprinkler through 360about an axis; and simultaneously with each of said incrementaladvances, or alternatively, to oscillate the magnitude of the force of,and consequently the radially projecting distance of, the water ow fromthe sprinkler between adjustably set minimum and maximum Values. Afurther object of the invention is to provide such a water sprinklerwhich is powered solely by the ow of water through the sprinkler from asource of water under pressure. A further object is to provide such awater sprinkler which is capable of adjustment to provide an ininitenumber of different patterns or shapes of watered or sprinkled areas.

Further objects will become apparent as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, my invention maybe embodied in the fonn illustrated in the accompanying drawings,attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings areillustrative only, and that change may be made in the specificconstruction illustrated and described, so long as the scope of theappended claims is not violated.

Fig. 1 is an elevational view partly in section of my improved watersprinkler;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a metering valve control lever thereof;

Fig. 3 is a view partly in section of the valve which meters the flow ofsprinkling water through the sprinkler, the valve being shown in fullyopen position;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the metering valve of Fig. 3in fully closed position and with the end caps removed;

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the rotary element ofthe metering valveshown in Figs. 3 and 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the reciprocable frame which has atoggle linkage for automatically reversing the direction of the pistonof the reciprocating fluid motor included in my improved sprinkler;

Fig. 7 is a slightly enlarged, elevational view taken from the left handside of Fig. 1 of the L-shaped bracket which mounts the reciprocatingfluid motor and cooperates with the toggle linkage supporting frame;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the normally stationary structure of myimproved sprinkler; and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the tongue or pusher member which coactswith a reaction member during operation of my novel sprinkler. Y

Referring to Figs. l and 2, my improved water sprinkler 10 includes aspider 11 having four radially projecting arms 12, each of whichterminates in an upstanding end fice portion 13. Suitably fixed adjacentthe radially outer' portion of each of arms 12 is a depending bracket 14which mounts a pointed, radially inwardly extending projection 15. Aneye at each free end of a U-shaped member 17 is disposed about one of adiametrically opposed pair of projections 15. Members 17 are formed froma relatively resilient material such as a suitable metal whereby thefree end of each of the legs thereof can be ilexed in a direction towardthe other to permit removal and replacement of each of members 17 withrespect to the remainder of the supporting frame ofthe sprinkler. Acurved portion 18 at the center of one of members 17 clears the centralportion of the other member 17 to permit the bottom edge of both ofthese members to lie at on the supporting surface for the sprinkler.

Spider 11 provides a centrally disposed threaded aperture 20 into Vwhicha complementary threaded, hollow barrel 21 is screwed. Nut 23 is inthreaded engagement with barrel 21 and may be tightened against thelower surface of spider 11 to tightly secure barrel member 21 thereto. Ahollow tting 24 has one end disposed about the adjacent end of barrel21, and a contractile band 22, which may be tightened by screw 26 in aconventional manner, secures fitting 24 in fluid tight relationship totheI barrel 21. An internally threaded, rotatable collar 25 at theopposite end of fitting 24 may be used to secure the tting to aconventional Water hose or other conduit connected to a source of waterunder pressure.

An internally threaded, hollow cylindrical member 27 is secured onto theupper threaded portion of barrel 21 in tightened relation against thevupper surface of spider 11. Cylindrical member 27 has a flange 19 at itsupper end which is rotatably seated against a shoulder 28 provided by aswivel member 30. Swivel member 30 is rotatable about its axis withrespect to cylindrical member 27 which is xed with respect to thesupporting surface for the sprinkler. Suitable packing (not shown) isprovided to prevent leakage between the relatively adjacent surfaces ofmembers 27 and 30. Another hollow cylindrical member 31 is disposed inthreaded engagement with swivel member 30, and one or more set screws 29are threaded through the wall of member 30 into tightened engagementwith the adjacent surface of member 31. In this manner cylindricalmember 31 is iixedly secured to swivel member 30 for rotation therewith.Another exteriorly threaded, hollow barrel member 32 has one end portionsecured in threaded engagement with cylindrical member 31. The oppositeend portion of barrel member 32 is secured in threaded engagement withthe inlet end of valve member 33, and a lock nut 34 rigidly maintainsthis relationship. An elbow 36 has a threaded portion 37 in engagementwith the interiorly threaded portion 41 (Fig. 4) of valve member 33.Threaded portion 37 is engaged by threads on nuts 35 and 38 which aretightened down toward each other and against opposite sides of arm 39 ofbracket member 40. Theopposite end of hollow elbow 36 has an exteriorlythreaded portion 43 onto which a conventional nozzle 44 is tightlysecured. Nozzle 44 may be of the well-known type wherein adjustment of amember such as a disc 45 adjusts the type of stream issuing from thenozzle and also the distance from the nozzle to which the sprinklingwater ows.

Accordingly, it is apparent that when a suitable supply of water underpressure is connected to fitting 24, the water may ow through tting 24,through barrel member 2 1, through cylindrical member 27, through swivelunion 30 and cylindrical member 31, through barrel member 32, valvemember 33, elbow 36, and thence through nozzle 44 from which thesprinkling water is discharged. Also, it is apparent that the fitting24, barrel member 21 and cylindrical member 27 are relatively ,fixedwith respect to spider 11, whereas swivel member 30, cylindricalmember'31, barrel member 32, valve member 33, elbow 36 and nozzle 44 arerelatively movable with respect to spider 11 in an angular path aboutthe common axis of swivel member 30, cylindrical member 31, barrel 32and valve member 33.

In my improved water sprinkler, means are provided to effect thefunctions of successively advancing the` direction of water flow fromthe sprinkler a predetermined increment in a path of revolution aboutthe aXis of swivel member 30, and oscillating, between a minimum and amaximum, the magnitude of the force with which the sprinkling waterflows outwardly from the sprinkler by way of the nozzle. The power todrive the means which eiects these functions is provided by the ow ofwater through the sprinkler in the manner to be described following.

A reciprocating iiuid motor 48 is provided in the embodiment of myinvention shown in Fig. l, and includes a cylinder 49 closed at one endby cap member 50 which is tightened into threaded engagement at one endof cylinder 49. A piston 52 includes a substantially rigid, hollow tube53 which is threaded at its opposite end portions. A nut 54 is threadedon the upper threaded portion of tube 53, a metal washer 55 is thensleeved over this threaded portion, a cup-shaped piston washer 56 whichis preferably formed of a' resilient material and has a centrallydisposed aperture is then sleeved over this threaded portion, a springwasher 59 and then a metal washer 57 are likewise sleevedover thisthreaded portion, and a nut 60 is screwed down into tightened engagementagainst the upper surface of metal washer 57. It is apparent that springwasher 59 presses the walls of cupshaped piston washer in substantiallyfluid-tight relationship against the adjacent interior wall surface ofcylinder 49. A valve stern 61 is disposed within tube 53 and carries avalve plug 62 at its upper end. Valve plug 62 is tted to seat againstthe upper open end of tube 53 to close off the tube from communicationwith the upper interior portion of cylinder 49 in one position thereof,V

and to open the upper end of ytube 53 into communication with the upperinterior portion of cylinder 49 in another position. The lowermost endof cylinder 49 is exteriorly threaded and extends through an aperture inarm 39 of bracket 40 and into threaded engagement with cap member 69.Cap member 69 provides a centrally disposed aperture through which tube53 moves, and lock nut 68 is tightened down against the adjacent surfaceof arm 39. A compression spring 65 has one end abutting the inneradjacent surface of cap 69 and the opposite end abutting nut 54 to biaspiston 52 upwardly. To alternately move plug member 62 betweentube-opening and tube-closing position, the arrangement now to bedescribed may be provided.

Fixedly disposed along stem 61 and spaced from each other are two lugsor stops 63 and 64. These lugs cooperate with means to be subsequentlydescribed which are mounted on reciprocating frame 73.

Referring to Fig. 6, as well as Fig. l, an aperture 71 is provided byframe 73 through which the lower threaded portion 72 of tube 53projects. Lock nuts 70 and 74 in threaded engagement with portion 72 oftube 53 are tightened to rigidly secure the frame 73 to the Vtube 53.Frame 73 is formed in part by a single L-shaped member 75, and in partby a pair of mutually spaced L-shaped members 78, 78 as best shown inFig. 6. One link 79 of a toggle mechanism is pivoted at 80 in aperturesformed in members 78, 78. Another toggle link 81 is pivoted at 82 onframe member 75 and the distal end of link 81 is disposed outside thecontines offrame 73 as clearly shown in Fig. 6. A tension spring 83 isconnected to and biases the swingable ends of links 79 and S1 towardeach other. A lateral extension 87 which is relatively xed with respectto the frame member 75 projects into an elongated Y slot 88 in leg `89of L-shaped bracket 40.` Elongated slot 88, in cooperation withprojection 87, guides frame 73 for vertical reciprocating movement. AnL-shaped bracket member 90 provides a trigger or lug 91 for cooperationwith the swingable end of toggle link 81. Referring to Fig. 7, it isapparent that a screw 92 in threaded engagement with an aperture inbracket 90 may be tightened to secure the bracket in adjusted positionalong slot 94 in arm 89 of bracket 40. A bracket 95 is secured inlongitudinally adjusted position along slot 96 by tightening screw 97which is in threaded engagement with an aperture in bracket 95. Bracketprovides another trigger or stop 98 for cooperation with the swingableend of link 81. Bracket 95 vfurther provides a stop member 99 for apurpose and function later to be described.

A hollow fitting 101 in threaded engagement with an aperture in the wallof cylindrical member 31 provides communication from the interior ofcylindrical member 31 through iitting 101, through a conduit 100 whichmay be formed of a readily bendable material such as copper tubing, andthrough needle valve 102 which communi- Cates with the interior ofcylinder 49. Needle valve 102 may be adjusted by rotatably positioningcontrol member 103 along a range of adjustment between the fully closedposition of valve 102'and the fully open position thereof. Accordingly,fitting 101, along with tubing and valve 102 diverts a portion of thewater owing through the passageway provided in part by cylindricalmember 31 and barrel member 32, to the upper interior portion ofcylinder 49.

The operation of the reciprocating mechanism will now be described. Withfitting 24 suitably connected to a source of water under pressure, waterflows through the iitting, along the passageway deined by barrel member21 and cylindrical member 27, along the passageway provided by swivelmember 30, cylindrical member 31, barrel member 32, valve member 33,elbow 36 and nozzle 44, and thence outwardly from the sprinkler from thedistal end of nozzle 44. A portion of the water flowing through thepassageway provided in part by cylindrical member 31 and barrel member32 is diverted along f1tting 101, tubing 100, the interior of needlevalve 102 and thence intov the interior of cylinder 49. With the partsin the positions shown' in Fig. l, plug 62 is seated against Y the upperend portion of tube 53 to close off the interior of tube 53 fromcommunication with the upper interior of cylinder 49. Since thepassageway provided through the interior of nozzle 44 is constricted asin any conventional nozzle, and since fitting 24 is connected to asuitable source of water under pressure, a continuous flow of waterunder pressure into the upper interior portion of cylinder 49 ismaintained. With plug 62 seated against the end of tube 53, waterflowing into the upper interior portion of cylinder 49 forces piston 52downwardly against the bias of compressionspring 65. Since frame 73 isiixed withrespect to tube 53, it is concomitantly moved downwardly tobring the'swing'able end of toggle link 81 into engagement with stop ortrigger 98. Continued downward movement of frame i3 causes the swingableend of link 81 to pivot gradually about its opposite end until thespring'is carried past the pivot points 80. At this pointV it will beapparent that the swingable end of link A81 will snap upwardly to theextreme position delimited by' abutment thereof with the adjacent edgeof frame '73'provided by members 78, 78. Movement of,- the swingableendof link S1 to its extreme upward position causes the swingable end oflink'79 likewise to swing upwardly, engaging stop 63 on stem 61 to movethe stern upwardly to unseat plug 62 from the end of tube 53 and therebyopen-the interior of tube 53 into communication with the upper interiorportion-,of cylinder 49. The ow capacity of-tube 53 exceeds the maximumcapacity of valve 102; The water contained in the upper interiorportionfof cylinder v49then iiows downwardlythrou'gh tube 53 an'd fallsto the ground, andV piston 15 2 will then4 move upwardlyfunder the vbiasof axiomasj compression spring' 65. The amount of' water which iiows toand through fluid motor 48 is comparatively small but is suicient towet'the area directly beneath the sprinkler. As the piston 52 movesupwardly, the swingable end of link 81 comes into engagement withtrigger or stop 91 and is gradually moved to a position just past thepivot points 80. At this point the swingable end of link 81 snapsdownwardly to its extreme downward position as shown in Fig. 1. Thisdownward movement of the swingable end of link 81 brings the swingableend of link 79 into engagement with stop 64 on stem 61 to move plug 62back into seated relation with the open end of tube 53. With theinterior of tube 53 closed off from communication with the upperinterior portion of cylinder 49 by seated plug 62, piston 52 againbegins its downward movement to start another cycle in its reciprocatingmotion. it is clear then that piston 52 and relatively iixed frame 73continuously reciprocate so long as a ow of water through tubing 100 ismaintained.

Limiting stop 99 provided Vby bracket 95 acts as a positive stop forstem 61 to open the relief passage through piston 52 and tube 53, in theevent that the toggle mechanism should fail to unseat plug 62 when thepiston is on the downstroke.

Reciprocation of the piston 52 of uid motor 48 may be stopped byadjusting control member 103 of needle valve 102 to closed position.Through the range of adjustment of control member 103, valve 102 acts asa metering valve to vary the rate of low of water to the upper interiorportion of cylinder 49, and consequently the rate at which piston 52reciprocates.

A resiliently flexible tongue or pusher member 106 is secured to thelower portion of frame 73 by a screw 107 which passes through alignedapertures or laterally elongated slots 108, S provided by L-shaped framemembers 78, 78, respectively, and is held by a nut (not shown) intightened threaded engagement on the shank thereof. The lowermost edge109 of pusher member 106 is preferably serrated for a purpose later tobe described. Pusher member 106 (Fig. 9) is generally S-shaped, beingcurved at the portion 110 and reversely curved at portion 111 wherebyserrated edge 109 is angularly offset about the axis of swivel member 30with respect to the upper portion of pusher member 106 which is securedto frame 73. Fixedly carried by spider 11 is a rigid, annular band 114.Secured across the interior of annular member 114 and to the upper edgethereof is a member 115 providing an upper serrated surface. Member 115may be in the form of a metal mesh screen and with band 114 forms areaction member 116 which cooperates with pusher member 106 in a mannernow to be described.

As frame member 73 moves downwardly, serrated edge 109 comes intofrictional engagement with the serrated surface of reaction member 116and, due to iiexure of member 106, a horizontal component of force isapplied against the frame 73 to revolve L-shaped frame 40, nozzle 44 andthe parts of the device with which nozzle 44 is relatively fixed, apredetermined increment. As frame 73 rises, member 106 flexes back tostable position, serrated edge 109 moves out of frictional engagementwith the reaction member and no movement by nozzle 44 about the axis ofswivel member 30 results. Successive reciprocations of frame member 73effect consequent, successive, incremental advances of nozzle 44, andthe structure with which it is relatively fixed, angularly about theaxis of swivel member 30. When the screw 107 passes through such slots,of course, the degree of ad- Vance resulting from each cycle of themotor 48 may be adjusted by shifting the pusher 106 toward or away fromthe axis of rotation of the rotationally-mounted assembly.

The means for oscillating, between a minimum and a maximum, the volumeand the magnitude of the force with which the sprinkling water flowsoutwardly from the sprinkler by way of nozzle 44 will now be described.Referring to Figs. 1 and 3 through`5, valve member 33 provides apassageway 118 therethrough in communication with the hollow portion ofbarrel 32 and threaded portion 37 of hollow elbow 36 for the flowtherethrough of the sprinkling water. Valve 33 is a metering valve whichis capable of adjustably varying the ow of sprinkling water throughpassageway 118. In this regard, a rotary valve plug 119 as best shown inFigs. 3 through'S, is journalled on bearing surfaces 120, 120 providedby exteriorly threaded projections l121, 121. Threadedly secured onprojections 121, 121 are end caps 123 and 124, respectively. End cap 123is provided with a relatively fixed bearing member 125 for a purposelater to be described. End cap 124 has a centrally disposed aperture 126through which a stem 127 having a threaded portion 128 projects.Suitable spring means 129 biases rotary plug member 119 to the right asviewed in Fig. 3 against cap member 123. A slot 130 passes transaxiallythrough rotary plug member 119 and includes a curved portion 131. It isapparent that with rotary plug member 119 in the position shown in Fig.4, passage through valve 33 of the sprinkling water is completelyblocked oli. With rotary plug member 119 in the position shown in Fig.3, it is apparent that valve 33 is completely open and passagetherethrough of the sprinkling water is practically unhindered. Rotationof rotary plug member 119 from the positionshown in Fig. 3 to theposition shown in Fig. 4 varies, from a maximum to a minimum, the rateof flow of sprinkling water through passageway 118, and therebycorrespondingly varies the magnitude of the force with which thesprinkling water ows outwardly from the sprinkler through nozzle 44.Curved portion 131 of aperture 130 in rotary plug 119 is effective toprevent sudden cut-oli in the ow of water throughl passageway 118 as thetrailing edge of aperture 130 moves out of passageway 118 when the valveis closed.

Referring to Figs. l and 2, a bifurcated, valve control lever 134 isshown. straps 135 and 136, respectively, which are secured at one end toeach other by suitable means such as screws 137, 137. A resilientextension 138 is suitably secured to the remainder of control lever 134as shown in Figs.

` 1 and 2. Member 138 may be in the form of. a piece of rubber or a loopof coil spring, and performs a func-V tion later to be described. Twoaligned apertures 140 and 141 are provided by straps 135 and 136,respectively, and in operative position, bearing member 125 projectsthrough aperture 140 and threaded portion 128 of stem 127 projectsthrough aperture 141. A portion of the innerr surface of strap 135 abutsagainst the adjacent surface of end cap 123 and a portion of the innersurface of strap 136 abuts against shoulder 142 provided by stem 127.`Asseen in Fig. 1, a nut 143 in threaded engagement with portion 128 ofstem 127 is tightened against a lock washer which bears against aportion of the outer surface of strap 136. Accordingly, rotary plugmember 119 is rigidly iixed against movement with respect to controllever 134. Pivotal movement of control lever 134 about the axis ofrotary plug member 119 therefore effects corresponding rotary movementof rotary plug member 119.

A lost motion connecting member 145 in the form of a substantially rigidloop is pivotally mounted at 144 on frame 73. The curved portion ofmember 145 nor- Vmally lies in a recess 146 incontrol lever 134 andmember 145 is guided for movement relative to control member 134 by pins147, 147 disposed on either side of member 145. A tension spring 149 isconnected at one end to swivel member 30 and at the other end to anintermediate portion of control lever 134 to resiliently bias lever 134toward the position corresponding to the fully open position of valve33.

Upon movement of piston 52 downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 1,frame 73, along with lost motion connecting means 145, lever 134 pivotsabout the axis of rotary plug member 119 of valve 33 .t9

Lever 134 is formed in part by two 7 gradually move aperture 13o-inrotary plug membery 119 out of passageway 11S and therebygradually'reduce the flow of sprinkling water through valve 33. Asrotary plug member 119 moves toward closed position, the magnitude ofthe force with which the sprinkling water flows outwardly from nozzle 44is correspondingly reduced. As piston 52 moves upwardly rotary plugmember 119 is correspondingly rotated toward fully open position, andthe magnitude of the force with which the sprinkling, water ilows fromnozzle 44 is correspondingly increased. Accordingly, during a full cycleof reciprocating fluid motor 43 from the position'shown in Fig. l, themagnitude of the force with which the sprinkling water flows outwardlyfrom the sprinkler oscillates one cycle from a maximum to a minimum andback to the maximum. The minimum force with which the sprinkling water`llows outwardly from the sprinkler can be adjustably setV by looseningnut 143, adjusting the pivotal position of control lever 134 withrespect to rotary plug member 119. and then re-tightening nut 143.Ordinarily, the control lever 134 is relatively adjusted with respect torotary plug member 159 so that at the lowermost position of the lefthand end of lever 134, metering valve 33 has just reached its fullyclosed position, and the minimum value of the force with which the waterflows from nozzle 44 is zero.

lt will be apparent that during each downward movement of piston 52,nozzle 44 will be revolved about the axis of swivel member 35) apredetermined increment; and simultaneously therewith the magnitude ofthe force with which the sprinkling water flows outwardly from thesprinkler through nozzle 44 will vary from a maximum to a minimum. Sincethe radially projecting distance to which the sprinkling water ilowsfrom nozzle 44 is directly proportional to the force with which thesprinkling water leaves the nozzle, this radially projecting distancecorrespondingly varies from a maximum at the beginning of the downwardstroke of the piston 52 to a minimum at the end of the downward strokeof the piston 52. Also, as piston 52 moves upwardly from its lowermostlimit to its uppermost limit, the magnitude of the force ot, and theradially projecting distance of, the water flow from the sprinklervaries correspondingly from a maximum to a minimum while the nozzle 44remains lixed with respect to the supporting structure of the sprinkler.

Means is provided to adjustably set the maximum magnitude of force withwhich the sprinkling water Hows from the nozzle 44 at each incrementaladvance of nozzle 44 in its path of revolution about the swivel member30. Secured to the upstanding terminal portion 13 of each arm 12 ofspider' 11 is an annular band or strap 153 of substantially rigidmaterial. A plurality of slats or control members 154 have a portion oftheir innerV surface in engagement with the adjacent surface of member153 and are disposed in mutually spaced relationship along a circularpath about the axis of swivel member 3G. An annular contractile coilspring 155 is disposed in tight frictional engagement with the outersurface of each of control members 154. The tension exerted by coilspring 155 is suicient to maintain control members 154 in the desiredvertical positions of adjustment during operation of the sprinkler, butpermits manual vertical adjustment of each of control members 154 to theposition desired. A plurality of spacers 156 are ormedof resilientmaterial and are disposed in succession between adjacent edges of eachpair of control members 154 to maintain the control members in theirmutually spaced relationship. Each spacer 156 as shown in Fig. 1includes a pair of arms having curved end portions disposed about theupper and lower portions of annular band 153. Preferably the sprinkleris adjusted so that a single control member 154 is disposed in the pathof movement of extension 138 of lever 134 at each incremental positionin the path of revolution of control lever 134. Itl is apparent that thelowermost position of the end ot' control lever 134 provided byextension 138 is dened by the height of the uppermost edge of thecontrol member 154 which currently lies in the path of verticalmovementof extension 138. Accordingly, as piston 52 with frame 73 moves upwardlyfrom its lowermost position, resilient extension 138 will be swungdownwardly underV the action of springV 149 untilY it comes intoengagement with the upper edge-of the control member 154 which isdisposedin the path of vertical movement of extension 138 at thatangular position of control lever 134 about the axis of swivel member30. At this point, further pivotal movement of control lever 134 ishalted and lost motion connecting means 145 permits frame 73 tocontinuein its upward movement. As previously explained, the lowermost positionof extension 138I of control lever 134V determines the maximum magnitudeof the force of, and radially projecting distance of, the waterilow fromthe sprinkler. lt will be apparent then, that by appropriately adjustingeach of control members 154 .vertically with respect to annular band153, the pattern or shape of the watered or sprinkled area throughoutthe entire 360 path of revolution of nozzle 44 may be varied as desired.For example, a substantially triangular, rectangular orl ellipticalpattern can be effected. lt is apparent, in fact, that an infinitenumber of diierent patterns or shapes of watered or sprinkled areas canbe ellected by suitably adjusting control members 154. For instance, thesprinklermay be located near a building, street or walk and may be soadjusted that the building, street or walk will not be wetted, whilewater may be thrown to a substantial distance in directions parallelwith, and/or away from, the same;

Each of control members 154 can be conveniently calibrated in anyconvenient unit of measurement. A rod 157 having a hand-engageable knob158 may be pivotally connected at 159 to control lever 134 as shown inFig. l. Rod 157 can be conveniently guided for vertical movement throughan aperture in lug 169 suitably secured by means such as a screw 161 tocylinder 49, and through an aperture in arm39 of L-shaped bracket 40.

Insetting the sprinkler for operation, needle valve 102 is adjusted toits fully closed position and valve 33 is adjusted to its fully closedposition by swinging end 138 of control lever 1,34 to its uppermostposition through rod 157. Fitting 24 is then secured to a hose or otherconduit in communication with a source of water under pressure. Nozzle44 may then be manually rotated to point to the location at which themaximum force of water dow is desired. The right hand end of controllever 134 is then swung by means of rod 157 to the position at whichwater is thrown to the desired distance with the desired type of sprayadjustably set by spray adjusting disc 45. The control member 154 whichcurrently registers with element 138 is then moved upwardly to abut thelower edge of extension 138. Control lever 134 is then pivoted to againclose valve 33, and nozzle 44 is angularly advanced to registry with thenext adjacent member 154. Each control member 154 is adjusted in thesame manner to the desired vertical height depending on the particularpattern desired. Needle valve 102 is then opened to the degreecorresponding to the desired speed of reciprocation of piston 52, andthe sprinkler then begins the above-described, automatic operation.

A recapitulation of the more important adjustments which can be effectedwith my novel water sprinkler may be in order. Needle valve 102 isadjustable from fully opened to fully closed position to meter the flowof water through tubing to cylinder 49, and thereby correspondinglyadjust the speed of reciprocation of piston 52. Correspondingly, thespeed of operation of all of the parts driven by reciprocation of piston52 is adjusted. Stops or triggers 91 and 98 are respectively adjustablealong lthe length of arm 89 of L-shaped bracket 40 to 9 vary the lengthof thestroke of piston' 52'.V It is clear that adjustment of stops ortriggers 91 and 98 is effective to adjust the range between the minimumand maximum magnitude of force with which the sprinkling water leavesthe sprinkler, as well as to adjust the degree of angular advance duringeach increment of movement of nozzle 44 in its path of revolution. Theangular position of control lever 134 with respect to rotary plug member119 is adjustable to correspondingly adjust the magnitude of the maximumand minimum values of the force of, and consequently the radiallyprojecting distance of, the water ow from nozzle 44. For a given minimumvalue setting of the force with which the sprinkling water ows fromnozzle 44 in the manner just described, each of slats or control members154 is adjustable, at a diterent incremental position of nozzle 44 inits path of revolution about the axis of swivel member 30, to adjust themaximum value of this force of water ow from the sprinkler. Conventionalnozzle 44 is adjustable to provide the type of spray desired, andobviously, the radially projecting distance from the sprinkler to whichthe sprinkling water flows varies according to the type of sprayprovided by the nozzle.

It will be clear that, if pusher member 106 is detached from frame 73,no angular movement of nozzle 44 in its path of revolution will beeffected during reciprocation of frame 73, and oscillation of themagnitude of the force with which the sprinkling water ows from nozzle44 will result in projection vof the sprinkling water radially from thesprinkler along a straight-line path. Also, by detaching control lever134 from valve 33 and setting rotary plug member 119 to provide thedesired magnitude of force with which the sprinkling water flows fromnozzle 44, the incremental advance of nozzle 44 in its path ofrevolution about the axis of swivel member 3l) will result in a patternor sprinkled area about the sprinkler of annular shape.

I claim as my invention:

l. A water sprinkler including means providing a passageway for the owtherethrough of water under pressure, nozzle means in communication withsaid rst named means to direct a ow of sprinkling water from thesprinkler, means powered by said ow yof water under pressure forangularly advancing the said nozzle means step-by-step through a rotarypath, valve means for controlling the magnitude of the force with whichthe sprinkling water i'lows outwardly from said nozzle means, meansconnecting said powered means with said valve means to oscillate saidvalve means through a cycle between a maximum low position and a minimumilow position in synchronism with each advancing step of said nozzlemeans, and means cooperable with said valve means for permittingadjustment of said maximum magnitude of force for each of saidsuccessive increments.

2. A sprinkler including means providing a passageway for the owtherethrough of water under pressure, a uid motor, means connected tosaid fluid motor for diverting a portion of the water owing through saidpassageway to drive said uid motor, nozzle means in communication withsaid passageway-providing means for directing a flow of sprinkling waterfrom the sprinkler, means driven by said fluid motor for successivelyadvancing the nozzle means, step-by-step, in a path ot" revolution aboutan axis, valve means for controlling the magnitude of the force withwhich the sprinkling water flows outwardly from said nozzle means, andmeans connecting said uid motor with said valve means to drive saidvalve means continuously through a cycle between a maximum flow positionand a minimum flow position.

3. A sprinkler including means providing a passageway for the owtherethrough of water under pressure, a uid motor, means connected tosaid fluid motor for diverting a portion of the water flowing throughsaid passageway to drive said uid motor, nozzle means in communicationwith said passageway-providing means for directing a flow of sprinklingwater from 'the sprinkler, means driven by ksaid uid motor forsuccessively vadvancing the nozzle means a predetermined increment in apath of revolution about an axis, and means driven by 'said uid motorfor simultaneously oscillating, between a minimum and a maximum, themagnitude of the force with which the sprinkling water ows from thenozzle means, said last-named means comprising a member connected to bereciprocated by said` uid motor, a valve disposed in said passagewaybeyond said diverting means with respect to the direction ofy water flowthrough said passageway, said valve including a member which isrotatably adjustable to meter the flow of water through the valve, apivotal lever operatively connected to adjust the rotary position ofsaid valve member, a lost motion means connecting to saidreciprocatingmember la portion of said lever which is spaced from the axis aboutwhich the lever pivots, means for resiliently biasing said lever towardthe pivotal position which corresponds to the fully open position -ofthe metering valve, and a plurality of members disposed alonga circularpath, each of said last-named members being adjustably positionablealong the path in which a portion of said lever moves during each ofsaid successive increments whereby the magnitude of the maximum forcewith which the sprinkling water flows from the nozzle means at eachsuccessive increment is correspondingly adjusted.

4. A sprinkler including means providing a passageway for the flowtherethrough of water under pressure, means in communication with saidrst-named means for directing a flow of sprinkling water from thesprinkler, a fluid motor including a cylinder relatively fixed withrespect to said flow directing means and a piston reciprocable therein,valve means associated with said piston for controlling the directionofv movement of said piston in its path of reciprocation, a togglelinkage associated with said piston to actuate said valve means andthereby reverse the direction of movement of the piston at the end ofeach stroke thereof, means for diverting to said cylinder a portion ofthe water flowing through said passageway to drive said reciprocablepiston, means for successively advancing the How directing means apredetermined increment in a path of revolution about an axis, means forsimultaneously oscillating between a minimum and a maximum, themagnitude of the force with which the sprinkling water Hows from theflow directing means, and means connecting said reciprocable piston fordriving said advancing means and said oscillating 4 means.

5. A sprinkler including a supporting means, means providing a pasagewayfor the ow therethrough and from said sprinkler of water under pressure,said passageway providing means being mounted on said supporting means,a reciprocating uid motor, means mounting a portion of said uid motor inrelatively fixed relation to said passageway-providing means, meansconnected to said fluid motor for diverting a portion of the water owingthrough said passageway to drive said fluid motor, a member connected tobe reciprocated by said reciprocating tluid motor, valve means disposedin said passageway beyond said diverting means with respect to thedirection of water ow through said passageway, and means connecting saidvalve for actuation thereof by said reciprocating member to oscillate,between a minimum and a maximum, the magnitude of the force with whichthe sprinkling water tlows from the sprinkler.

6. The device as set forth in .claim 5 wherein said valve includes amember which is rotatably adjustable to meter the ow of water throughthe valve, said connecting means for actuating said valve comprising apivotal lever operatively connected to adjust the rotary position ofsaid valve member, and a portion of said lever spaced from the axisabout which it pivots being connected to said reciprocating member.

H`lil 7'. The dev-ice as set forth in claim 6 including lost motionmeans connecting said portion of the lever to said reciprocating member,means for resiliently biasing said lever toward the pivotal positionwhich corresponds y to the fully open position of the metering valve,and a member adjustably positonable along the path of move ment of aportion of said lever to limit the throw of said lever in one directionwhereby the magnitude of the maximum force with which the sprinklingwater flows from the sprinkler is correspondingly adjusted,

8. A sprinkler comprising nozzle'means supported for rotation about asubstantially vertical axis, oscillable valve means connected to providevariable control of the ow of water from a source of supply to andthrough said nozzle means, a lever operatively connected to oscillatesaid valve, said lever being mounted to; swing about a substantiallyhorizontal axis moving with said nozzle means, an annular series ofsubstantially vertically-adjust able control members arranged tosurround said substantially vertical anis` and disposed in the path ofsaid lever, each acting, when said lever is in registry therewith, tolimit the throw of said lever in one direction, and poweractuated meansfor incrementally advancing said nozzle means about said substantiallyvertical axis while oscillating said lever about said substantiallyhorizontal axis.

9. A sprinkler comprising supporting: means, nozzle means mounted forrotation with respect to said supporting means aboutv a vertical axis,oscillable valve means connected to provide variable control of the owof water from a source of supply to and through said nozzle means, alever operatively connected to oscillate said valve means, said leverbeing mounted to swing about a substantially horizontal axis moving withsaid valve means, an annular member surrounding said substantiallyvertical laxis and relatively fixed with respect to said supportingmeans, a plurality of substantially vertically adjustable controlmembers, means frictionally supporting said control. members in adjustedposition against the peripheryof saidannular member, each control memberacting, when-*said lever is in registry therewith, to limit the throw ofsaid lever in one direction, and power-actuated means for incrementallyadvancingA said nozzle means aboutsaid substantialy vertiy,cal axiswhile oscillating said lever about said substantially horizontal axis'.

10. A sprinkler comprising nozzle means, means for incrementallyadvancing said nozzle means along a path of revolution about asubstantially vertical axis, oscillable valve means connected to providevariable control of the tlow of water from al'svovulrce of supply to andthrough said. nozzle means, a' lever operatively connected to oscillatesaid valve, said leverbeing mounted to swing about a substantiallyhorizontal anis moving with said nozzle means, an annular series ofsubstantially vertically adjustable control membersarranged to surroundsaid substantially vertical axis, one control member being disposed inthe vertical pathsof said lever at each incremental position thereofvabout. said substantially vertical axis, each control Vmember acting,when said lever is in registry therewith, to limit the throw of saidlever in one direction. Y

References Cited in the ijle of this patent UNITED VSTATES PATENTSFOREIGN PATENTS 572,296 Germany I H Mar. 14, 1933

